Ewenton

1 Blake Street, 1854, 1860, 1872 additions

The economy of the colony boomed in the 1850s, following the Gold Rush, and Ewenton House reflects this burgeoning prosperity. The handsome mansion is something of an architectural mélange, which is not surprising since it was built in stages.

In 1854-5, ‘Blake Vale’, a simple, single-storeyed house with basement was built for Robert Blake, a quartermaster turned civilian sheriff and developer.

In 1856, Major Ewen Wallace Cameron, a successful businessman bought the house and renamed it Ewenton. Cameron engaged the architect James MacDonald to add an elaborate entrance portico and a stone upper storey with bay and pedimented windows and a slate roof. As well as enjoying the fine views from the site, Cameron benefited from easy access to the city from his own wharf.

As Cameron’s family grew, more space was needed so in 1872 a three-storey wing was added. The finished result is a massive building of high quality stone-work with unusual detailing that defies classification into any single architectural style. Facing the building, the left (southern) side is predominantly Italianate, with Italianate classical elements (the windows, roof and pediment). The ground–floor arches and the oriel window suggest a Moorish influence. The central oriel window is rare in Sydney buildings, as are the triple round-headed windows on the left of the façade, surrounded by stone architraves and surmounted by a boss. The right hand (northern) side remains basically Georgian with the exception of the oriel window.

From 1892 the building became a boarding house, and was then used for industrial purposes. It fell into disrepair in the 1950s and was damaged by fire in 1980. Under an agreement relating to the development of the surrounding land, the Lend Lease Corporation and the specialist heritage architect, Clive Lucas, restored the exterior in the 1980s. The interior was restored by the present occupier.